Fired up for baseball

STOCKTON - Mike Mitchell and some of his friends enjoyed a tailgate party in the parking lot at Stockton Ballpark prior to the Ports' season-opener Thursday night.

Bob Highfill

STOCKTON - Mike Mitchell and some of his friends enjoyed a tailgate party in the parking lot at Stockton Ballpark prior to the Ports' season-opener Thursday night.

Mike Hill and his mother, Mary Hill, and his grandmother, Gloria Membrila, were the first patrons through the main entrance, greeted by Ports' staff, Edison High cheerleaders and members of the Pacific Tigers Dance Team.

The setting sun glared through partly-cloudy skies and later gave way to a chilly night. The sausages sizzled on the grills, a crew set up the post-game fireworks just outside the park, the grounds crew had manicured the field to perfection, the Stockton Youth Chorale sang the "Star Spangled Banner."

Baseball season finally had arrived and a crowd of 4,189 celebrated its return for a ninth season at Stockton's downtown outdoor gem.

"I can't wait for baseball season to start. All baseball fans get like that," said Ports owner Tom Volpe, who took in the game with his wife, Beth. "The staff gets all geared up for it, ready for the season to begin. When baseball season ends, I get really depressed and I go into hibernation until the season starts again."

Opening day always brings a sense of renewal. For the players, it's their chance to begin impressing their parent clubs and move up the minor-league ladder. For fans, it's their chance to get outside, smell the fresh-cut grass, and bask in each other's company.

"It's like the beginning of a new age for me," Mitchell said. "Late nights for the summer and good friends."

Mitchell, a maintenance operator at Van Buskirk Golf Course in Stockton, invited several of his friends to share some food and drinks in their version of one of America's greatest sports traditions - the tailgate party.

"Mikey invited me down here to kick off the season," said Joe Reilly, head golf professional at Van Buskirk. "I've always been a minor-league sports fan. They always cater to the fans and I like that."

Mike Hill surprised his mother and grandmother with tickets to Thursday's game. They didn't plan or expect to be the first fans through the gate for the 2013 season. It just worked out that way.

"He's being very nice," Mary Hill said.

Mike plans to take his mother and grandmother to tonight's Thunder playoff series opener with the Las Vegas Wranglers at Stockton Arena, next to Stockton Ballpark.

"I've always liked baseball," Mike Hill said. "There's something about the season opener that just gets everyone. You get to see the nice, green grass for the first time and just have fun."